Spinney, Augustine

Medical compendium, containing receipts, notes on practical treatment, uroscopy, pregnancy, etc., also on astronomy, medical astrology, etc.: c.1530. With additions by later hands, of which many are by Henry Fowler, Rector of Minchinhampton (Glos.) dated between 1602 and 1641. Written partly in Latin and partly in English. Fowler has illustrated some of his entries with small pen-drawings, some anatomical, grotesque heads, animals, etc. and flowers-the latter perhaps as a rebus for his name. Contents: Ff. 1-10 On urines, signs of pregnancy, visitatio infirmi, diet, etc. In Latin. 11-179 List of diseases and cures in alphabetical order by Spinney; mainly in English, but some entries in Latin. 180-187 On astronomy, medical astrology, etc. In Latin. 189-200 Bloodletting, the four Humours, physiological notes, purgatives, uroscopy, etc. In Latin. Among the above are interspersed receipts and notes in English and Latin by several Elizabethan hands. Fol. 119v contains the beginning only of 'The testamente and Laste will of Wylliame tracye esquire', in English and written out by Spinney. This William Tracy, who died in 1530, was a follower of Luther and his belief in 'Justification by Faith' was expressed in this Will which was pronounced to be heretical by Convocation in 1532. His Will was printed with a commentary by William Tindall and John Frith in 1535 [see the Dictionary of National Biography]. Spinney's signature appears on fol. 2, 21, and 181 where he writes: 'Augustinus Spinney possidet me ni fallor'. Produced in Minchinhampton.

early 16th century - mid 17th century

1 volume 200 [214] ll. 4to. 20 x 14 cm. Vellum end-papers. 17th cent. calf binding, with gold stamped centre ornament: slightly defective. 14 leaves are missing: First leaf, between fol. 10 and 11; between fol. 59 and 60; between fol. 83 and 84; between fol. 87 and 88, 4 leaves; between fol. 97 and 98; between fol. 107 and 108; between fol. 119 and 120; between fol. 187 and 188; between fol. 188 and 189, 2 leaves. Upper corner of fol. 1 slightly defective, lower corner of fol. 171 cut away; lower margin of last leaf damaged. The fly-leaves are part of a Brief of Pope Sixtus IV addressed to ' de Tunbrige ordinis sancti Augustini' and refer to a 'perpetua vicaria Cantaria vel libera Capella hospitale'. It is dated 148 [?] on the verso of the back end-paper. Sixtus IV was Pope from 1471 to 1484.

The papers are available subject to the usual conditions of access to Archives and Manuscripts material, after the completion of a Reader's Undertaking.

Purchased 1941.

Under the signature on fol. 21 is a note by Fowler: 'Master unto my goode Mother Mris Elizabeth Armstrong. Sic fuit per nativitatem per matrimonium Fowler'. In the lower margin of fol. 183 Fowler states: 'This Augustine Spiney [sic] lived in the lamas [sic] howse at Minchinhampton in com Glouc.: he was a cheefe Chaunter, and was master unto my dearest mother Eli: Armstronge. Eldest daughter unto Thom. Armestrong of the Bourne gent. and yet a substantiall clothier by profession'. In the margin above this, referring to the word 'Chaunter', Fowler notes 'In the beginninge of Queene Elizab: tyme that place was dissolued'. Henry Fowler, who added so many entries in this MS., was born in 1583: and matriculated at Magdalen Hall, Oxford in May 1602. He graduated B.A. in 1605, and M.A. in 1608. On fol. 108v he mentions Sir Edward Underhill [1573-1613] 'my kinde and most valiant frende, in Artibus magister de Coll. Magd. Oxon. 1608 Universitatis procurator'. He became Rector of Minchinhampton in 1618, a position he see

Database description transcribed from S.A.J. Moorat, Catalogue of Western Manuscripts on Medicine and Science in the Wellcome Historical Medical Library (London: Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, 1962-1973).

On fol. 26 signature of 'Wm. Fletcher Stow on the Wold, Glouces', written in pencil c. 1900.